The ridge above my farm offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Palouse. Our neighbors at Thorn Creek Native Seed Farm steward over 100 acres of this historic Palouse Prairie on Paradise Ridge and it has been their mission to restore native plants to the area.
Through their efforts, the fields are once again filled with indigenous flowers and native grasses, also home to countless elk, moose, deer, bear, wild turkeys, hawks, pheasants, rabbits, eagles, owls, and more.
Below, Indian Paintbrush peeks through tall native grasses.
The hills are also dotted with the lavender-hued Wild Iris, for which the long dirt road to my farm is named.
The Arrowleaf Balsamroot.
Shooting Star.
Camas flower.
Then this pretty little blue/purple flower. Which has me stumped! Any suggestions from you horticulturists out there?
And always make sure you watch out for ticks!
Long pants are important when hiking in the long grass around here, or you might get that ‘ticklish’ feeling.
Click here to read why native plants are so important to an ecosystem.
Hello,
That blue flower in the photos…is a Douglas’ Brodiaea…wild hyacinth. Here’s a little more info.
Scientific Name: Triteleia grandiflora
Common Pronunciation: broh-dih-EE-uh
Plant Family: Liliaceae
Common Family Name: Lily
Plant Origin: Native
Duration: Perennial
Douglas’ Brodiaea, Blue Lily, Blue Umber Lily, Largeflower Triteleia, Large-flowered Triteleia
Triteleia grandiflora ssp. grandiflora
We are just over Moscow Mountain from you. We are restoring our pasture as well, it was over-grazed to a field of dust before our purchase, lovely to see the “natives” returning. I purchased a kit from Thorn Creek Native and collect seeds off those plants, we are well on our way, but as always, have more to do.
Blessings of the growing kind…
b.
That’s it! I had found the scientific name but couldn’t remember or find the common name, wild hyacinth. I’ll remember it now that I’ve taken such care to forget it, if you know what I mean. Thank you and thank you for your restorative work. It takes a village and then some. We are soooooooo lucky to have Jacie and Wayne for neighbors.
We have a local movement called Alachua County Trust which raises money in our county to purchase and save local habitats unique to our area. We are “friends” of the trust because it not only takes a village to preserve and restore wild lands, it takes money and hard work. But it is so worth every dime!! Your photos and wild flowers are lovely!! Like here in Florida, when we preserve these wild spaces, the critters are happy to be able to thrive, ahem, even the alligators!!
So you have a local land trust? How many years has it been in existence?
I heard that if you take 1 part Tea Tree oil to 2 parts water and put it in a spray bottle and spray your shoes and pants that it will deter ticks… You can also use Eucalyptus oil, 1 part to 3 parts water and it will deter fleas, and ticks as well.
What a great tip. I am going to try this!
Mary Jane, I think the trust has been around formally for about 12 years now. They work to get donations with matching funds to purchase special environmental pieces of land. The goal is to provide a “Green Circle” around the city of Gainesville. We are well on our way to success!
How lucky are you, how lucky are we when citizens go the extra mile. 12 years! The founders of your trust were ahead of their time. It leaves a wake of impact for generations to come.